Education for All in Times of Crisis I&II Projects “Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Prefabricated Educational Facilities” executed by the Ministry of National Education Construction and Real Estate Department through the World Bank with the European Union support was conducted in Osmaniye on 16 November 2017.

Mr. Özcan Duman, Head of the Construction and Real Estate Department, Mr. Ali Rıza Altunel, General Director of Lifelong Learning, Christian BERGER, Ambassador of the Delegation of European Union to Turkey, Mr. Ömer Faruk Coşkun, Governor of Osmaniye, Mr. Suat Önal, Member of Parliament form Osmaniye, representatives notably from the German Development Bank and local authorities have ensured a keen participation in the Groundbreaking Ceremony.

Folklore dance was also displayed by the students from Osmaniye 7 Ocak Primary School during the Groundbreaking Ceremony.

“Groundbreaking is Only a Step. Our Short Term Objective is to Put the Prefabricated Schools into Service in February”.

Mr. Özcan Duman, Head of the Construction and Real Estate Department delivered the opening speech during the Groundbreaking Ceremony and told that 60 prefabricated schools will be constructed in 10 provinces and they conducted the groundbreaking ceremonies for all these schools. Mr. Duman also told that the construction of 155 school in 17 provinces will be completed within the project and 6 school including 4 prefabricated and 2 reinforced concrete will be completed in Osmaniye.

Mr. Özcan Duman told that prefabricated schools are constructed in 120 days and the cooperation environment and synergy for the construction works at provincial level are positive for meeting the immediate need of the target groups.
Mr. Özcan Duman told that the project means building the future for Syrian Under Temporary Protection and children who are currently educated at local level and included in the target groups. He also told that the benefits of projects for people should be considered.

“The rapid and determination of the Ministry of National Education and AFAD for meeting the increased educational need were commendable”.

Christian BERGER, Ambassador of the Delegation of European Union to Turkey who delivered speech during the groundbreaking ceremony told that:

“The rapid and determination of the Ministry of National Education and AFAD for meeting the increased educational need were commendable”. Half millions of Syrian children have access to education in Turkey. This is a great success however there are actions to be taken. Still there are 370.000 children who do not have access to education yet. Together with the Ministry of National Education, we are working intensively to enroll these children in the schools urgently with the direct grant in the amount of 300 Million Euro that we have provided under FRiT fund. Enrolling half million of new students in the education system have inevitably placed a burden on the educational infrastructure in the regions where Syrian refugee have densely populated. Two months ago, we were in Ankara to make the opening of the projects in the amount of 315 Million Euro which included 60 prefabricated schools. Within the projects commenced today, 50 new schools will be constructed in 17 provinces. Thus, approx. 110.000 Syrian and Turkish students will have opportunity to complete their education in a school with all required equipment”.

“Educational Environment is a Whole with Every Dimension”

Mr. Ali Rıza ALTUNEL, General Director of Lifelong Learning who delivered speech during the Groundbreaking Ceremony emphasized that Different departments of the Ministry of National Education work together concertedly on site and conduct effective projects. Within this framework, both Integration of Syrian Children into the Turkish Education System Project and Education for All in Times of Crisis I&II together with Education Infrastructure for Resilience Projects executed by the Construction and Real Estate Department have made important contributions to find a sustainable solution for the education need of the project target groups.

“An Additional Capacity with 41.400 School within 60 Prefabricated School in 10 Provinces”

60 prefabricated and 29 reinforced concrete school in total will be constructed with Education for All in Times of Crisis I&II Projects executed by the Ministry of National Education Construction and Real Estate Department with the European Union support. An Additional capacity with 62.400 people in total including 41.400 students in 60 prefabricated schools and approx. 21.000 students in 29 reinforced schools will be established with the projects implemented in 14 provinces. The projects are conducted under MoNE Construction and Real Estate Department and currently, construction works are carried on.